The big picture
Ephesians 3 opens in verse 1 with “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”, and closes in verse 21 with “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end…” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, Jesus, Gentiles, glory, grace. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Ephesians · King James Version · 21Ephesians 3:1-7
1–7: For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Ephesians 3:1–7 opens with “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,” and reaches “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul imprisoned yet praying for believers to grasp the immeasurable dimensions of Christ’s love, with particular weight carried by Christ, Gentiles, grace.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Ephesians 3:1-7
King James Version1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Ephesians 3:8-14
8–14: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given…
Ephesians 3:8–14 opens with “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach…” and reaches “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul imprisoned yet praying for believers to grasp the immeasurable dimensions of Christ’s love, with particular weight carried by Christ, Jesus, Lord.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the…” Naming Christ and Gentiles keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Ephesians 3:8-14
King James Version8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 3:15-21
15–21: Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Ephesians 3:15–21 opens with “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” and reaches “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul imprisoned yet praying for believers to grasp the immeasurable dimensions of Christ’s love, with particular weight carried by Christ, able, glory.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” The line’s distinctive content terms include earth, family, heaven. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the…” The verse names Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Ephesians 3:15-21
King James Version15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Ephesians 3:1 begins with “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,”
Where the chapter turns
Ephesians 3:20 forms a natural hinge: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
The final note
Ephesians 3:21 leaves the reader with “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, Jesus, Gentiles, glory, grace, known help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does blame move through the conversation?
The man points to the woman and indirectly to God; the woman points to the serpent. Neither response repairs trust.
Where does mercy appear?
Continued life, the promise involving offspring, and clothing accompany the expulsion.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.